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Information retrieval method with natural language interface

  • US 6,778,951 B1
  • Filed: 08/09/2000
  • Issued: 08/17/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of retrieving documents in a database retrieval system having a knowledge database, the method comprising the acts ofa. receiving a query string inputted by a user into a natural language interface of said database retrieval system, said interface being coupled to a string source having a plurality of pre-stored strings, each of said pre-stored strings being coupled to one of said documents;

  • b. in response to said receiving act, detecting from said strings source a plurality of equivalent strings having essentially the same meaning as said query string;

    c. in response to said detecting act, initially ranking said plurality of equivalent strings by a weighing correlation between said query string and each of said equivalent strings;

    d. generating a first correlation value for the meaning of each of said plurality of equivalent strings;

    e. in response to said act of generating a first correlation value, quantifying the correlation in meaning between said equivalent strings and said query string with a first factor;

    f. generating a second correlation value for a wording pattern of each of said plurality of equivalent strings;

    g. in response to said act of generating a second correlation value, quantifying the correlation in wording pattern between said equivalent strings and said query string with a second factor;

    h. in response to said quantifying acts, ranking said equivalent strings by a combined correlation of meanings and wording patterns for each of said plurality of equivalent strings; and

    i. in response to said act of ranking said equivalent strings, retrieving a document coupled to a selected and ranked equivalent string and displaying said document to said user.

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